What does the “vessel” represent and what is the significance of the imagery?

“A vessel is a container like a cup or bowl. … The inside represents the government of the land. Moroni threatens to clean out the inner vessel, or overthrow the government, to keep the freedom of his country” (Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, 443).

On a more immediate level, President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “All is not well in Zion. As Moroni counseled, we must cleanse the inner vessel (see Alma 60:23), beginning first with ourselves, then with our families, and finally with the Church. … As we cleanse the inner vessel, there will have to be changes made in our own personal lives, in our families, and in the Church” (“Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” 4–7).

How was Captain Moroni’s reference to cleansing the inner vessel of the Nephite nation in harmony with the Savior’s teachings to the people of Israel in the Old World?

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:25–26).

“Ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27–28).

“ … Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. … Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:8–9).

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them” (Luke 11:44).

“Extortion and excess” are related to a Greek word meaning rapacity (by force or greediness), self-indulgence, or lack of self-control (see notes a and b to Matthew 23:25). The washing (or worrying about the outside of the pot, cups, or vessels) is evidence that man is given to appearance, trends, and traditions rather than personal spiritual cleansing.

How will Moroni’s remark to Pahoran and the Savior’s teaching about inward cleansing affect you? How will you cleanse the inner vessel?